Foul! Time to send football's bad boys off TV

Wayne Rooney swears. As does Roy Keane. And Patrick Vieira. And Steven Gerrard. And John Terry. And teachers, struggling to teach little Johnny to keep a civil tongue in his head, have had enough.

One of Britain's most respected education leaders will use a speech today to say that footballers indulging in bad language, deceit, cheating, pushing, spitting and mass brawls are giving children such poor role models their antics should be banned from television screens. Matches should be under the same controls as films when it comes to swearing and sex.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads' Association, fears TV's habit of highlighting and regularly repeating incidents - such as Rooney's recent expletive-laden outburst - influences children. He wants TV channels not to show outbreaks of violence or boorishness before 9pm, and preferably never, even if that means the end of live televised football.

'Verbal abuse, cheating and defiance of authority occur sometimes in schools [but] they occur much more frequently outside school and, in particular, in professional football, often without the player even being cautioned,' Dunford will say in a speech due to be delivered to the association's conference today.

'This is shown on primetime television, making the job of schools - where public expectations of standards of behaviour are much higher than elsewhere in society - infinitely more difficult.

'When a player tells a referee to f... off - in full view of millions of people on television - he should be sent off every time, however famous he may be. He would soon learn to behave in civilised society. And an example would be set to young people.'

In Dunford's speech to the conference in Brighton today - which will be read on his behalf by his deputy, Martin Ward, because Dunford is ill - he will also challenge broadcasters, saying: 'Where is the moral authority of television companies in showing this? Not once, but week after week, complete with action replays. Such incidents should not be shown until after the 9pm watershed and preferably not at all.'

Aides said that if putting that into practice meant games could no longer be shown live, Dunford believes that should happen, as ugly behaviour could encourage school pupils to follow suit.

Broadcasters and the Football Association last night rejected the call. 'This is clearly a ridiculous idea. It would affect the future of live broadcasting as we know it', said a BBC spokeswoman. ITV said: 'With all major live events, there are elements that are slightly out of broadcasters' control.'

One TV sports executive added: 'It's ludicrous to blame the broadcasters or expect us to be moral guardians when this is football's problem.' An FA spokesman said: 'The referee in every match is empowered to take action against foul and abusive behaviour. We will continue to work with all the relevant parties in football to do what we can to eradicate it.'